The only area I know of using DStar for emergency comms is Florida in the US 
because the actual Icom DStar repeater is a peace of junk especially on 
receive though most systems that insist on it are going with other modified 
setups. I know other areas that tried it but because of the problems with 
the repeater and interference, they just opted to go with another digital 
system or went back to analog anyway IMO, the way it should be. I guess this 
NBIMS is getting some attention too but again, not very accessible and I 
keep telling the local current RACES region officer to let it go because 
you're never going to get the communities to buy equipment for that with the 
RACES system in complete Limbo here in MA not to mention with me, his only 
reliable help at the region EOC, if I can't use it, I'll just go back with a 
community where I can do some good or dedicate my services to MARS instead 
where I'm finding work arounds to most of the digital software problems 
though that RTTY one still has me stumped.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2012 2:45 AM
Subject: Re: In a state of disbelief here


> firstly, no, these two radios don't have options for speech synthesisers.
> I believe the 2200 has an allowance for direct frequency entry, and memory
> location entry via the mic keypad...the 2820 may have that as well
> I assume the reason 2820H's were chosen was for the DStar option...even if
> it wasn't purchased as an option with the radio, it can be added on later 
> if
> needed.  Emergency stuff is really embracing DStar technology now.
> While these radios don't have speech output, it doesn't make them totally
> unusable by a blind op.
> Presumably your EOC has a standardized frequency list for all facility
> radios and for members radios.
> These two will have  that standardized list programmed in and that will 
> make
> them usable if you have at least a cheat sheet of the channel numbers
> assigned to various frequencies.
> Most EOC's, ARES and other various agencies will program their radios with 
> a
> standardized list of frequencies that will include any and all major
> repeater and simplex frequencies one would ever need.
> So, make up a braille sheet or keep a list on a portable note taker with
> that list.
> Beyond that, both the 2200 and 2820 are physically no more difficult to 
> use
> as a blind op...volume is still volume, and squelch, and one can memorize
> button layouts like you would have to do with any other rig.
> Anoying for sure, but not a deal breaker in my book.
> I doubt they're going to send the radios back if they wish to have DStar
> capability.
> I would be pissed in your position though.  Someone somewhere made
> recommendations as to the biggest, best, most modern radios to buy, and 
> they
> went for it.
> Also, Icom is big on the patriotic Icom america thing, so many agencies
> automatically turn to "Icom america" for their equipment.
> Their marketting is second to none in the US.
> Anyway, insure that you make your views known and perhaps they'll do
> something about it, but if nothing is done, fear not, you can manage with
> what is there.
>
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2012 5:15 PM
> Subject: In a state of disbelief here
>
>
>> Hi, all
>>
>> Recently, in my region of west-central lower Michigan, the power that be
>> obtained an equipment grant to purchase all new equipment for our county
>> EOC's.  Sounds great, right???
>>
>> Well, for one thing, none of us as EC's were consulted on the rig and
>> other
>> equipment choices, so we ended up with rigs with which none of us were
>> familiar.
>>
>> But, here's the real kicker:
>>
>> Two of the rigs are the Icom IC2820 VHF/UHF dual-band radio, and the Icom
>> IC2200 2-meter radio.  Upon checking in the AES catalog, and calling AES
>> for
>> confirmation, it seems that these radios do not have a voice synthesizer
>> chip option.  If this is true, of course, the rigs will be of limited use
>> to
>> me as EC in the Emergency Operations Center, unless I have sighted
>> assistance with me at all times.
>>
>> Can someone verify for me that these rigs actually do not have a voice
>> chip
>> option??
>>
>> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ